Mechanics

A Pendulum Clock

At first glance, the giant see-through-erector-set-like structure seems to be a realization of one of Leonardo da Vinci's mechanical inventions.

Where: This exhibit is not currently on view.

Balancing Ball

Levitating on an invisible stream of air, a beach ball seems to defy gravity. If you try to pull the ball out, you can feel a force pulling it back in—the same force that keeps an airplane in flight.

Where: Ray and Dagmar Dolby Atrium

Tilt a spinning bicycle wheel while you’re sitting in a swivel chair and—surprise—you’ll start spinning in circles, too. You can also witness the same phenomenon here by hanging a spinning wheel from its axle.

Where: Crossroads: Getting Started

Chaotic Pendulum

When you set these pendulums swinging, the motion of each one affects the others.

Where: Crossroads: Getting Started

Circling Wave Umbrella

Fluttering waves whirl around the edge, creating patterns of evenly spaced ripples.

Where: Entrance

Coupled Pendulums

Start one of these two pendulums swinging and soon you’ll see the other pendulum start swinging, too. Keep watching and you’ll see the two pendulums take turns, alternately swinging energetically and coming to a near standstill.

Where: Crossroads: Getting Started

Downhill Race

Believe it or not, when objects roll downhill, it’s not their weight or size that determines their speed—it’s how their weight is distributed.

Where: Crossroads: Getting Started

Drawing Board

Draw hypnotically flowing patterns with a swinging table, and watch friction cause the patterns to slowly shrink along a spiral path.

Where: Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomenon

Flourish (Bloom)

This 3-D sculpture is animated when spun under a strobe light. The bloom’s animation effect is achieved by progressive rotations of the golden ratio, phi (ϕ), the same ratio that nature employs to generate the spiral patterns we see in pinecones and sunflowers.

Where: Osher Gallery 1: Human Phenomenon

Lariat Chain

This artwork by Norman Tuck demonstrates that a very simple system—a metal chain hanging from a motor-driven bicycle wheel—can generate complex behaviors.

Where: Gallery 2: Tinkering